Dustin Wong, Julius Smack and Synthesaurio set to perform at local ‘Banana House’
By MIRIAM RAMAKRISHNAN — arts@theaggie.org
On Nov. 9, Third Space Art Collective — a community of creatives who adhere to a do-it-yourself philosophy — will be hosting a house show featuring three distinctive performers. From 6 to 9 p.m., Dustin Wong, Synthesaurio and Julius Smack will be taking over the Banana House at 616 11th St. to play an eclectic mix of genres. Admission starts at $10, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Wong is a former guitarist for Ponytail, an art-rock band from Baltimore Art School. After getting its start as a school project, the band continued to experiment with music professionally, according to Impose Magazine.
“Wong tends to arrange his electronic material in short, sporadic bursts, often contrasted against a cantering percussive synth line or reedy wisps of guitar,” Reed Jackson said in an article for Spectrum Culture.
Currently local to Davis, Synthesaurio is an “audiovisual project” by epidemiologist Pablo Gomez. He utilizes algorithms as a way to influence his production design and visual composition process, resulting in a very unique sound.
“I see music as another tool to bring people together and uplift the efforts of those who are working on building a better world for all of us,” Gomez said.
As Synthesaurio, Gomez defines his music style as a mix of cumbia, psychedelic rock, ambient and vaporwave genres.
“To me, cumbia experimental is an esoteric process that evokes near-spiritual experiences,” Gomez said. “My biggest influence right now is the current political climate, which is what pushes me to write and perform music. I like to think of my music as an extension of community organizing — another tool to bring people together and uplift the efforts of those working on building a better world for all of us.”
On tour with Wong from Los Angeles, Julius Smack is an alter ego created by LA-based musician Peter Hernandez, in which he blends Y2K dance music with other synth beats to create a wholly new concept.
“The house scene matters more than ever right now,” Hernandez said via email. “House shows are humble, [do-it-yourself (DIY)], human — the antidote to online.”
Hernandez first became interested in the music scene when he himself attended a house show in his hometown of San Jose.
“When I was 18, I saw an experimental folk artist from Portland called Dragging an Ox Through Water, and we talked for a bit about his unusual set up of homemade synthesizers,” Hernandez said. “I remember leaving and feeling ecstatic that an amazing musician would have a conversation with me. I think that moment really instilled a determination to meet as many artists as I could.”
Gomez shared a similar experience, explaining that the house show environment inspired him through a unique camaraderie.
“Living-room shows are so intimate and [a] great way to connect the audience with the performers,” Gomez said. “I have been in lots of shows where I end up hanging out with the performers and learning more about their music and eventually becom[ing] friends.”
The technical aspects of organizing such an event are a feat in-and-of-themselves. Josh Redman, an events director for Third Space, detailed the process of planning the Nov. 9 show and others like it.
“Bands on tour usually reach out about shows months in advance — at least two months but often three months in advance or more,” Redman said via email. “Once a band asks about a show, then the organizer needs to confirm a space, find other bands, make a flyer and start promoting.”
Redman went on to highlight the importance of audience behavior and courtesy during smaller shows at places like the Banana House.
“It’s really important for people going out to a house show to understand what the expectations are, because it’s so generous of people to host,” Redman said. “If attendees don’t respect the space, then they may be discouraged from hosting again.”
Beyond the logistics, Redman is very enthusiastic about the haven that smaller, more intimate shows provide for artists and listeners alike.
“House shows provide an alternative and non-commercial space for more experimental and challenging art that conventional venues may not be open to,” Redman said. “[House shows] build a community around shared experiences and collaboration and not just a traditional performer/audience dichotomy.”
All aspects of the show — from the bands to the organizers to the attendees — are set to come together on Nov. 9 at the Banana House to bring the Davis community this standout show; come one, come all.
Written by: Miriam Ramakrishnan — arts@theaggie.org
